According to Mastercard SpendingPulse holiday retail sales increased 3.4 percent with online sales growing 18.8 percent compared to 2018. Digital’s 14.6 percent share of total sales was a new high, according to Mastercard.
Author: SGB Media
Prosecutors: Avenatti Was $15M In Debt During Nike Extortion
Celebrity attorney Michael Avenatti was over $15 million in debt when he tried to extort up to $25 million from Nike, Manhattan federal prosecutors charge in new court papers.
Entry Process For SIMA Awards Now Open
The Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA) announced that the Call For Entries for the 16th Annual SIMA Awards, celebrating the best of the surf industry from 2019, is now open. Established in 2003, the SIMA Awards strives to identify the surf industry’s most influential and innovative products, brands, media and retailers and recognize them for their efforts to advance and grow the industry.
AstroTurf Announces Changes To Organization
AstroTurf, the leading producer of synthetic turf, announced some extensive organizational changes. To manage AstroTurf’s considerable growth in the western United States, AstroTurf’s current PacWest region will now be realigned into Northwest and Southwest regions.
True Hockey To Sponsor Jeremy Roenick Charity Challenge
Rivals Media, an AZ-based sports and entertainment fan engagement fundraising platform, announced True Hockey as the title sponsor for the upcoming Jeremy Roenick Charity Challenge.
Bass Pro Awards Conservation Partner Of The Year
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Executive Director Ed Carter has received the honor of being named the Bass Pro Shops Conservation Partner of the Year.
Super Saturday Breaks Records
Super Saturday on December 21 reached a record $34.4 billion in sales, marking the largest single-day in U.S. retail history, according to Customer Growth Partners. Super Saturday sales of $34.4 billion were 10 percent above Black Friday’s $31.2 billion total.
NFL Players Association And Dallas Cowboys Merchandising Sued For Counterfeit Complaints
The NFL Players Association and the Dallas Cowboys Merchandising companies have been sued over asserted false counterfeit complaints against Jersey World, a small business that sells sports products on Amazon.com.
DraftKings Plans To Go Public, Merge With SBTech
DraftKings Inc., the sports betting giant, plans to go public in the first half of 2020 after merging with acquisition firm Diamond Eagle Acquisition Corp and betting technology company SBTech.
Panelists Announced For Women’s Networking Event at Running USA Conference
The She.is.beautiful and Running USA teams announced a panel of leaders who will be part of the Women’s Networking Event at the 2020 Industry Conference presented by Race Roster. The line-up includes executives at Hoka One One, Twin Cities in Motion, Race Roster and Harlem Run.
The Big Gear Show Hires Interbike’s Former Show Director
The Big Gear Show, a new outdoor industry trade show focused on hardgoods, with an emphasis on paddling, cycling, climbing, and camping gear, announced the appointment of Lance Camisasca to be its bike show director.
Moody’s Downgrades 24 Hour Fitness
The downgrade follows the weaker than expected EBITDA forecasts for the full year 2019 and 2020 as a result of a decrease in new member sales conversion and higher attrition rates. These factors contributed to a sizable decline in membership count and an acceleration in comparable club revenue declines in the third quarter.
Shoptalk And Groceryshop Acquired By Hyve Group
Shoptalk and Groceryshop, popular U.S. conferences in the retail, grocery and consumer packaged goods industries, have been acquired by Hyve Group plc, one of the world’s leading organizers of international exhibitions and conferences, for $145 million.

Vicis To Enter Receivership
Vicis Inc., the high-tech football helmet startup, announced that its board of directors voted to place the company into receivership.
Weav Music Raises Series A Funding
Weav Music, the audio innovation lab helmed by Google Maps co-founder Lars Rasmussen and marketing visionary Elomida Visviki, announced a $5 million Series A financing round. The round was led by King River Capital; global fitness leader Peloton also participated, along with previous investors Passion Capital and Rivet Ventures.